Leia did not know how to react. She couldn't believe that all of the trouble that had been caused these past few days had been singled down to that small stone that now lay next to Mon. If she hadn't been so tired and frustrated, she would have laughed.

And now Han had left without her.

She hadn't had time to think about what their reunion would be like, but she didn't think he would just leave. After all they had been through, she thought he would at least wait for her.

"Excuse me, Mon?"

She had startled the older woman from thought.

"Yes, Leia?"

"If it's alright with you, I think I would like to leave as well."

"Yes, of course. I'm sure you would like to get out of that wedding dress as well. That is, unless you wanted the wedding to continue?"

Leia shook her head adamantly.

"Absolutely not."

Mon smiled.

"Then please have a good night. And again, I apologize to you as well."

Leia returned the smile, but had nothing to say. She knew it hadn't been her fault, but at the moment, she wasn't ready to accept anyone's apology. She just hoped Han was.

"Leia?"

She smiled at him.

"Thanks, Luke."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, it's alright. I need to speak to Han alone."

"Princess?"

It was Isolder. She turned to face him.

"Yes?"

"I am sorry. I never intended it to be like this. Maybe we could be friends, diplomatically of course."

She gave him a look that told him that it was the last thing on her mind, but she responded with a tight smile.

"Maybe."

With that, she turned and left the room.

As tired as she was, she knew she had to find Han. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she wasn't looking where she was going and slammed into something solid.

"Ooh. I'm sorry, I-"

She looked up.

"Han?"

"Hi."

His face was serious.

"You didn't leave."

"Nah. There wasn't anything to go home to."

She smiled slightly.

"I-"

He interrupted her.

"Why don't we go and talk back at the apartment?"

She looked slightly disconcerted, but nodded.

"Alright."

They were quiet on the way home. There was a lot to be said and Leia didn't know where to begin. She just hoped that he knew that every choice she had made was to keep him alive. He hadn't been so understanding at the time, sure, but now they were together, maybe he'd be a bit more accepting.

Her stomach was bubbling with anticipation.

When they reached the apartment, Han had to wait for her to unlock it.

"Is that why you waited? You couldn't get in?"

It was an attempt at lightening the mood, but he merely grumbled in response.

When Han stepped in, he paused to take a good look around. It felt like home, but it was still so foreign to him. It was only a few hours ago when he thought he would never be here again. Or be with her again.

Leia looked at him anxiously. She didn't like feeling this way around him. She knew he would be upset, but she just wished he would yell and let it all out now.

"Han?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

He looked at her. He seemed as tired as she felt.

"I'm sorry."

He stared at her.

"I'm sorry that this happened to you. To us. I'm sorry that I didn't know how to fix it and that I sent you away. But it wasn't because I wanted you gone. I- I just needed to know that you were going to be ok, and I couldn't figure out how to do that otherwise."

She took a deep breath and waited to see if he would respond. He didn't.

"How do you want to move on from this? I know you're probably angry as anything, but you just standing there isn't helping matters. Now if we could please just discuss this like two adults, I-"

"I forgive you."

She stopped.

"What?"

He smiled slightly.

"I said I forgive you."

"Just like that?"

"Yup."

She looked indignant.

"But-"

"I forgive you, this time. But I swear, if you try to send me away and marry another prince, I won't let it go. And if your Alliance pulls anything like this again, I'm out of here. And I'm taking you with me. Is that clear?"

She eyed him suspiciously.

"Are you serious?"

"About what?"

"Totally and completely forgiving me."

"Wouldn't say it if I didn't."

"Then how come you made me wait until we took the excruciatingly long journey home to tell me all of this?"

"First of all, sweetheart, it wasn't even all that long. And secondly, because I knew I had to wait to do this."

"Do what?"

He walked closer to her, stopping when he was only inches away from her, but still not touching.

"This," he whispered.

He edged his head slowly towards her. Her mouth opened expectantly.

He leaned further towards her, but spoke.

"Did you miss me while I was away?"

She smiled seductively at him.

"I don't know. It was only a few hours."

"Mm, sure, but you didn't think I was coming back."

"That is quite true."

"What do you say we officially reunite in the apartment?"

He wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.

"Hmm."

She pretended to think.

"It's actually been quite the few long days and I'm tired. I think I would like to reunite with my bed."

"With your bed or in your bed?"

He smirked.

"I don't know. The bed's got soft pillows and warm blankets and the promise of a nice, long rest. What do you got?"

He growled at her.

"I could tell you, but I think I'd rather show you."

With that he lifted her off the ground and carried her into their bedroom.

"Han! Put me down!"

"As you wish, Your Highness."

He dropped her on the bed.

She sat up and glared at him.

"You could have been a little nicer with that."

He grinned.

"Oh, I don't plan on being nice."

She returned his smile, but then got lost in thought.

"What do you think will happen to the queen?"

She had blurted it out before she could stop herself. Han looked confused.

"So long as she's kept far away from that stone, I really don't give a damn. Could you focus on me now, please?"

She laughed.

"I'm sorry. My curiosity just got the best of me."

He frowned.

"Always the diplomat."

"I was only thinking of you."

"Then or now?"

"Always."

He sat down next to her.

"What are you thinking about right now?"

"My bed." She paused to watch him frown again.

"And how it will feel against my back as you're on top of me."

His eyes widened as he smiled.

"Naughty princess."

She stood up and turned away from him.

"Undo my dress."

He stood up.

"As you wish."

He unzipped it and she stepped out of it, tossing it to the side unceremoniously.

He laughed, but then she took him by the hand and pulled him down on top of her. She pulled his vest off, his shirt soon after, and went to work his belt.

He whispered to her.

"Aren't you going to kiss me?"

"Maybe in a minute. Stand up for a second."

He did as he was told and she unzipped his pants. When she pulled them off of him, something small fell out of the pocket.

He tried to get it, but she picked it up before him. She held the ring in her hand so that both of them could see.

"Han?"

"Yeah?"

She smirked.

"I'm gonna marry you."

He raised his eyebrows.

"Are you asking my question?"

"Well, are you ever going to ask?"

"Maybe." He paused as though thinking. "Eventually."

"You better ask me soon. Apparently I'm in high demand."

He laughed and then laid back down on the bed.

"Leia?"

"Yes?" Her voice was a whisper.

He leaned into her and kissed her. Sweet and slow, his tongue traced her lips before entering her mouth. She moaned at the contact and pulled him closer. He played with her bra strap that had made its way down her shoulder and tugged on it.

Unsnapping it, he took it off and tossed it behind his shoulder. He expertly slid off her underwear, never breaking the kiss.

As his mouth made its way to her neck, he whispered in her ear.

"You know, there's something extra sexy about this, when I think about how it was meant for another man."

She flinched.

"It never would have gotten that far."

"Even if you were married?"

"I couldn't have done it."

She reached for his boxers and pulled them off.

She spoke, "The essence of a political union I suppose."

He laughed and then asked her, "How long would you have lasted without me?"

"I can be very patient. You on the other hand-"

She smiled when she felt his arousal as he moved between her legs.

"Oh I can be very patient, sweetheart. I just choose not to."

He kissed her again. Long and hard.

"Leia?"

"Uh huh?" She was trembling with desire.

He spoke just below her ear, so his breath was against her throat. His voice was a whisper.

"Will you marry me?"

She froze and looked at him, searching his eyes.

"Are you serious?"

He gazed at her intently.

"Indubitably."

She matched his stare before answering.

"Then yes."

He smiled before kissing her once more.